After Hwarin's shocking declaration, a brief silence settled over the JML Entertainment office.
About ten seconds passed.
"Wait a minute… just wait a second."
The first to break the silence was JML Entertainment's CEO.
Usually calm and composed, he took off his jacket and stared hard at Hwarin, who was sitting beside him.
"So, Hwarin, you're saying you want to do a short-form series?"
At his question, Hwarin calmly nodded and pulled out her phone.
"Yes, that's right."
"You're saying you want to turn down major film offers and other proposals just to appear in a four-part short series written by a rookie writer?"
"Why are you leaving out Netflix?"
"Ugh! No! That's not the point! This is so frustrating."
"CEO!"
The CEO pressed a hand to his forehead as if he were dizzy, and the chubby manager quickly moved to support him.
"Manager Lee, why didn't you stop her?"
"Uh… sir, actually…"
At that point, Hwarin cut in.
"Manager Lee tried to stop me several times. He told me not to even think about it. So don't blame him."
"Hey! Hwarin! Get a grip! Why are you suddenly trying to do a short-form series? Even if it's a Netflix project, do you really think you're at the level where you should be doing short-form series?"
"Is there some kind of hierarchy when it comes to choosing projects? What about Hyeyeon? She's one of the top artists in Korea, and she did a short film."
"But that's…"
"CEO, you said before that if an artist has passion, good work comes out. You told me to do what I feel passionate about, regardless of scale."
"Ugh… applying that advice to a short-form series is a bit extreme."
The CEO pressed at his temples as though a headache was coming on.
Hwarin licked her lips, her face full of determination.
"Anyway, I've made my decision. I'm interested in Boyfriend*. And I want to slow things down a little."*
"You're not overdoing it?"
"Yes. Honestly, the recent album promotions were insanely intense, right? You know that too, don't you? Do you even know how many schedules we had in one day?"
Hwarin crossed her arms and continued.
"At night we flew to Japan, then came back to Korea the next day and immediately had more schedules. Performances, variety shows, radio, ads, pictorial shoots, YouTube, and more."
She described the hellish schedule in a calm voice.
"But did I or the other members complain? No. We endured it because of the support from our fans and the company. So when it comes to solo activities, can't I take things a little easier?"
The CEO was left speechless.
Everything she said was true.
He let out a deep sigh, as if giving up on persuading her.
"Fine. Do it your way. Who could possibly change your mind?"
"And please reduce the other members' schedules too. I'm asking as the group leader."
"Fine."
Running a hand through his hair, the CEO turned to the chubby manager beside him.
His voice sounded noticeably deflated.
"Then explain the outline. What's the status of this short-form series?"
"Huh? Ah… it looks like they're planning to unveil the short series selected through that contest a few weeks ago. The title was something like Short Series Festival*. Nothing seems finalized yet."*
"So it's still in the planning stage. Pre-production."
"Yes. They're planning to present around five works."
After hearing the explanation, the CEO looked back at Hwarin.
"What made you interested in this short-form series?"
"The script is fun. Even though it's a short series, the story is surprisingly detailed. And even though it was written by a rookie writer, there aren't any awkward parts. It's a romantic comedy, but the characters are well built."
"…Do you think it'll be a hit? Short-form series usually have limits when it comes to success."
"Well, I'm not sure. But it's a Netflix project. If it's promoted well, I think the public could enjoy it quickly and easily."
Hwarin answered calmly, but the CEO looked even more concerned.
"Manager Lee. If Hwarin appears in this short-form series, have the other actors been decided? Since it's short-form, there'll probably be a lot of lesser-known actors, right?"
"I don't know about the other projects, but the male lead in this one is pretty solid."
"Really? Who?"
"It was confirmed today. Kang Woojin."
"Kang Woojin?"
The CEO rubbed his chin.
"You mean Kang Woojin from the drama Profiler Hanryang*? He's doing extremely well lately. From CEO Choi Sunggeon's agency."*
"Yes. When I went to the meeting, he was already in discussions with the chief Director."
"He really is on a roll right now. Hm… though he's kind of unusual. Like our Hwarin."
"Excuse me? CEO, I'm right here."
"Why would a rising star like him want to appear in a short-form series? He could easily land roles in major productions."
"That person… I mean, that actor… doesn't seem to care about production scale at all."
"Hwarin, do you think Kang Woojin will be okay? What was your impression of him?"
"Mm. He was just so-so. Nothing special."
Hwarin answered casually.
Even so, the CEO stroked his chin in thought.
"Really? Hm. If Kang Woojin is the co-star… if it's made well, maybe it'll be fine. His acting is excellent. But Hwarin, did you happen to know Kang Woojin before this?"
"No."
At that point, the chubby executive spoke while looking at Hwarin.
"But should we remove that kiss scene? You said before it would be better if that scene wasn't there."
Hwarin shrugged as if it meant nothing.
"When did I ever say that?"
The next day.
Sunday the 31st.
Suncheon.
The massive filming set built to replicate old houses and streets was bustling with activity.
The movie being filmed there was Drug Dealer.
Although the setting of the film was Busan, some scenes were being shot on the Suncheon set, which had been dressed to resemble Busan.
Even so—
"Stunt team!! The Director is calling for you!"
"Can someone check this car? It won't start!"
"Director! Please take a look at the prop placement!"
The filming set was chaotic, just like any other production.
And in the middle of it all, the busiest person was Director Kim Dohui.
"Art Director! Shall we check the props together? Art Director! Over here!"
At that moment—
"The Director's energy has definitely gone up."
In one corner of the set, several actors stood together holding their scripts.
Their expressions clearly showed concern.
"I'm glad things worked out after the issue with Oh Junwoo, whether it's for Junwoo or Kang Woojin."
"Ah, there are about ten days left until Kang Woojin joins filming, right?"
"Yeah… I'm relieved it got resolved, but when I think about Junwoo, it still feels strange."
They were talking about Oh Junwoo, who had left because of the accident, and Kang Woojin, who had replaced him.
"But will it really be okay?"
"What do you mean? Ah, Kang Woojin? If he said he can do it, it should be fine."
"Isn't it unusual for a popular actor to accept a role that's obviously replacing someone else? Most actors refuse parts like that."
"That depends on the situation. What worries me more is whether a newcomer can really pull off that role."
For actors who had already finished more than half the filming, that concern was only natural.
"Right. It's not an easy role. It's insanely difficult."
"The decision feels rushed. Casting a rookie with only one finished project…"
"The situation couldn't be helped. It must've been hard for the Director too. But with only a little over two weeks after the script was delivered, Kang Woojin's schedule must be unbelievably tight."
"But his acting is excellent, isn't it? I watched Profiler Hanryang*. His Assistant Manager Park was incredible."*
Most of the actors nodded.
"I saw it too. His acting style is unique. But the real issue is whether he can digest all of this in just two weeks. Normally rookies can't."
"Right… Junwoo prepared for a long time too."
"But the media's calling Kang Woojin a genius, aren't they?"
"Every genius has different strengths. Just reading and analyzing the script will probably take over a week… I'm curious what the final result will look like."
"If it turns out half-baked, that'll be a problem."
The concerns among the actors who had not yet worked with Kang Woojin only deepened.
"What's the point of talking about it here? We'll know once we actually see him perform."
At that moment—
Inside Kang Woojin's van.
Since morning, Woojin had been riding in the van on the way to the company.
But—
"Ah, the traffic is seriously awful."
That was what Choi Sunggeon said from the passenger seat.
The roads had been packed since morning.
It was hell.
Kang Woojin said nothing.
He kept a cynical expression on his face.
He had been scrolling through social media, but eventually he put his phone down and looked out the window.
Seeing the traffic jam, it was obvious the ride would take a while.
'Hmm… should I use this time to read… or experience?'
Woojin glanced at the mountain of scripts piled beside him.
All of them were projects he had already agreed to appear in.
Lately, he had not had much time at home to read his scripts.
So whenever he got spare time, he read them and mentally rehearsed the roles.
'Should I start with the ones filming soonest?'
Soon, Woojin picked up the script on top.
It was the scenario for the film Drug Dealer, which would begin filming in less than ten days.
With his index finger, Woojin pressed the black square next to the script.
Instantly—
The surroundings changed.
When he opened his eyes again, Woojin was no longer inside the van.
He stood in endless darkness.
Inside the void space.
Woojin selected the white rectangle labeled Drug Dealer.
[You have selected Script (Title: Drug Dealer)]
[List of readable characters (experience)]
[A: Jung Sunghoon / B: Choi Junho / C: Kim Hyunsoo … G: Lee Sangman]
Lee Sangman.
The character Woojin was about to experience.
"This is completely different from murder or crimes like that."
This role was tied to drug addiction.
Even so, Woojin calmly selected Lee Sangman.
Soon, the familiar robotic female voice echoed through the void space.
[Preparing to read 'G: Lee Sangman'…]
Woojin inhaled slowly.
"…Ready."
[This is a highly completed script. Readability: 100%. Beginning reading.]
Grayness swallowed him whole.
The temperature against his skin shifted.
Neither cold nor hot.
Somewhere in between.
Then the gray world slowly dissolved.
Woojin's perspective changed.
He found himself somewhere unfamiliar.
Bzz.
Inside a car.
Woojin sat in the back seat of a luxury sedan, looking out the window.
Rain streamed down the glass.
The smell of cigarettes stabbed into his nose.
It was thick and disgusting.
But to the current Woojin—
it felt completely normal.
"..."
Woojin silently stared out the window, then glanced toward the front seats.
Two men sat there wearing slightly oversized suits.
Woojin spoke briefly.
"A cigarette."
His voice was hoarse.
Heavy.
Languid.
The man in the passenger seat bowed slightly.
"Yes, hyung."
He quickly handed one over.
Woojin placed it between his lips.
He inhaled deeply.
Then exhaled slowly.
Hoo—
Woojin himself did not smoke.
But in that moment, smoking felt perfectly natural.
Lee Sangman's emotions had already begun flowing through his body.
Cell by cell.
Naturally—
Kang Woojin became Lee Sangman.
The boss of a massive Busan crime organization.
Lee Sangman barely spoke.
But his eyes were sharp.
Violent.
His expressionless face only made his brutality stand out more.
Quiet.
Meticulous.
Every small movement carried weight.
A charisma fiercer than a beast's.
Rain hammered the car.
The interior felt cold and damp.
Cigarette smoke slowly filled the space.
Woojin clicked his tongue.
Tch.
He flicked the cigarette out the window.
Rain splashed onto his sleeve.
"..."
Something irritated him.
He did not know why.
But he felt deeply uncomfortable.
Then his arm began to itch.
No matter how much he scratched, it would not stop.
Soon—
black spots appeared in his vision.
Floating upward.
Covering half his sight.
Hallucinations.
But Woojin only blinked calmly.
As if he were already used to it.
The spots disappeared.
But—
Scratch.
Woojin scratched both arms.
The itching got worse.
Inside him, the irritation thickened.
It became anger.
Then he muttered in Japanese.
"I need a shot soon."
His body started to grow restless.
The moment he mentioned injecting something—
only one thought filled his head.
Stick that damned needle into my arm.
And be free.
The craving for release surged like an abyss.
His anger exploded.
His legs trembled.
His hands shook.
Then—
"Hyung, are you okay?"
The passenger seat man asked.
Woojin glared at him viciously.
Then he spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Do I look stupid to you?"
"W-what? No, hyung."
"What did you see?"
"Th-that…"
"If I eat your eyeballs, will that help me understand?"
"I'm sorry."
Before the apology was even finished—
the car stopped.
Woojin stepped out.
Rain poured down.
A bloodied man was kneeling in front of him.
"Hyung! Please spare me! I lost my mind! Please, hyung!"
Woojin did not react.
He simply spoke quietly.
"Get rid of him."
The order was simple.
Put him in a drum.
Seal it.
Throw it into the sea.
The man screamed as he was dragged away.
"Hyung!! Please spare me!!"
But Woojin had already walked inside.
Soon, he stormed into an office.
Bang!
He yanked open a desk drawer.
Took out several tools.
Rolled up his sleeve.
His breathing turned rough.
Lightning flashed outside.
Thunder roared.
Woojin leaned back on the sofa.
Then—
he laughed.
"Hehehe—"
His eerie laughter echoed through the room, mixing with the thunder.